Allstate fires manager for Christian beliefs concerning homosexuality

AFA and World Net Daily ^ | June 28, 2005 | American Family Association

[ICE-FLYER]

Allstate has fired a manager because he expressed his Christian beliefs concerning homosexuality. Matt Barber was a manager in Allstate's Corporate Security Division. On his own time, and without identifying himself as an employee of Allstate, he wrote a column posted on several websites which was critical of same-sex marriage.

An outside homosexual group complained to Allstate about the column. Because of their support for the homosexual agenda, Barber was immediately fired and ushered off company property.

The message is clear: To work for Allstate one must not publicly express their Christian belief in the Bible's teaching on homosexuality. Barber was fired because he did. Homosexuals can criticize and condemn the Bible's teaching and they are welcomed, but Christians must remain silent.

TAKE ACTION

Allstate has sent a message to all their agents: If you are a Christian and believe the Bible's teaching on homosexuality, you will be fired. While Allstate touts its diversity, that diversity does not include Christian beliefs on homosexuality.

First, send Allstate Chairman Edward M. Liddy an email to register your complaint demanding both a public apology and reinstatement for Mr. Barber with back pay. Then call your local Allstate agent and tell him or her you will not be purchasing any insurance from them.

You can find a listing of Allstate agents in your area by clicking here . Tell the Allstate agent you will tell your friends about their disdain for Christians who believe the Bible's teaching on homosexuality.

Email Allstate Chairman Liddy Now!

Sincerely,

Don

Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman American Family Association

[Steve_Seattle]

"Then it is okay to fire someone because they are black?"

It's not ok, but maybe it should be legal. Anti-discrimination laws create a legal muddle and pit rights versus rights, as this case shows. Social pressures would now make it very difficult for any company to actively discriminate against Blacks without fear of economic boycotts and societal censure.

[Steve_Seattle]

"For example, hiring blacks in a a racist community might cause an employer to loose racist customers. For that very type of reason the law has always been interpreted to exclude "antagonizing customers" as a defense for otherwise illegal discriminatory activity."

Excellent point. It's always nice to have one or two people on these threads who know what they're talking about. lol (I don't claim to be one of them.)

[libstripper]

If you think a black's presence can drive your business into the ground in a racist community, do you think that gives you a right to fire him? Meet the EEOC.

[Steve_Seattle]

"Title VII goes very far."

This is why Muslims are now having a lot of success in the workplace, getting exemptions for beards, special clothing, extended breaks for the daily prayers, and even having rooms set aside for their rituals.

[little jeremiah]

This is about the 4th article about this incident on FR. I'll see if I can post a couple of links to the other articles. The man who was fired wrote an article, the website that posted it added that he was an employee of Allstate without his knowledge.

The man does not deserve to be fired. Allstate is crap.

[Happy2BMe]

The gays come to power . .

[little jeremiah]

Homosexual Agenda Ping.

This is not the first article about this event. I will try to post a link to some of the other articles which have more details.

Looks as though, due to recent SCOTUS rulings, we are headed to a world in which private homes and houses of worship can be comandeered by our local gov'ts if they find a more lucrative use for the land, no religious display of any sort is allowed on any public land unless it's not meant to have any meaning, and if the court rules this firing is legitimate, we have to shut up and shovel or be fired.

No opinions, ideas, viewpoints or beliefs allowed that differ from what is authorized, even off the job on our own time. I hope it doesn't get that bad.

Freepmail me if you want on/off this pinglist.

[Antonello]

Let's say that you have Mary Sue Hellfire in your employee at your dress shop in Kansas. Mary Sue attends the Westboro Baptist Church, headed by the wonderful Rev. Fred Phelps. With Fred, on weekends, Mary is often photographed with "God Hates Fags" and "God Hates America" signs. Now, Mary is starting to be recognized in your dress shop, and it's hurting your bottom line, because quite frankly, Mary disgusts your customers. What do you do?

If you can show that she has reasonable knowledge that her activities are detrimental to your business, and continues to act that way anyway, then you may have a case justifying firing her. Likewise if she draws attention to her beliefs while at work or while acting as someone associated with your business. However, simply being recognized by someone aware of her personal activities probably wouldn't be enough unless her affiliation with your store is such that her private actions cannot reasonably be separated from it, e.g. a co-owner.

On the other hand, the activities you mention could be construed as discriminatory and inflammatory, which are not protected, and you may fire away.

[libstripper]

Sad but true. What's involveed in this case isn't even accommodation. It's just allowing the man to practice and prostelize his religion on his own time without in any way claiming to represent Allstate while he's doing it.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

..........................................

[gdani]

Really? Then it is okay to fire someone because they are black? After all, there is nothing in the Constitution that says I can't.

Assuming you're not a Govt employer, and you wanted to fire someone because of race, the Constitution & Bill of Rights would offer no protection to the employee. Why would you think otherwise?

However, there are many local, state & federal laws that prohibit discrimination in employment based on race.

And I'd like to think you know that & are deliberately being coy, instead of merely being uninformed.

[gdani]

Title VII goes very far. Its definition of protected religious activies, at section 701(j) statres:

I think you need to look at how that's been interpreted by the courts. (Once again) - I don't think Title VII goes as far as you think it does.

[libstripper]

Show me the cases.

[gdani]

Show me the cases.

Translation - "do my homework"

Using just Google, you can confirm my info. Or go to the library - or even Barnes & Noble. You don't even need a subscription to Lexis, Westlaw or PACER.

If you don't believe me because I don't take the time to list cites, I don't care. It's really not that difficult to confirm the info.

[Melas]

While that's an interesting, and valid comparison, it in now way answers my question: Do you really believe it just, do you believe it right that the dress shop owner would have to sit by and helplessly watch Mary drive the business into the ground? Do you truly believe that such a system would be a good system?

[Grampa Dave]

"If Archie Bunker were only here: "

Archie, please comment.

[wardaddy]

How on earth can you equivocate a Christian disapproving of homosexuality on his own time with a muslim advocating the destruction of the United States and Israel.

That sort of relativism is not healthy for our culture.

You're decent enough. I can't believe that is your value system.

btw....we're leaving Allstate. One only need visit their website to see the crap they support across the board.

My business is not much....about 8K per year but if enough folks see this....I can only hope

[onyx]

Well, hells bells, I'd better tell husband about AllState. He's fixing to just transfer his insurance to the local Vb agent. I think this would be a GOOD time to find another carrier!

[rockthecasbah]

If you believe that Allstate, or any publicly traded company, should not engage in discrimination against people for their religious beliefs, then you can force them to put a resolution to their shareholders prohibiting such conduct. You can obtain information on how to do so at the following link:

http://www.sec.gov/interps/legal/cfslb14.htm

SEC Rule 14a-8 provides an opportunity for a shareholder owning a relatively small amount of a company's securities to have his or her proposal placed alongside management's proposals in that company's proxy materials for presentation to a vote at an annual or special meeting of shareholders. It has become increasingly popular because it provides an avenue for communication between shareholders and companies, as well as among shareholders themselves. The rule generally requires the company to include the proposal in its annual proxy statement provided the correct procedures are followed.